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1/14/2009 Rep. Boswell Backs Bipartisan Bill to Provide Health Care for 11 Million Children This Legislation Is Likely to be One of the First Bills Signed into Law by President Obama For Immediate Release Washington, D.C. – Congressman Leonard Boswell today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to 11 million children. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act was approved by a vote of 289 to 139. The bill is very similar to the legislation that President Bush vetoed twice in the 110th Congress. “No child in Iowa or anywhere throughout our nation should ever go without medical care,” said Boswell. “When unemployment increases, so does the number of Americans without health insurance.” This bipartisan bill reauthorizes the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through FY 2013 and preserves the coverage for all 7.1 million children currently covered by SCHIP. The bill extends health care coverage to 4.1 million additional low-income children, who are currently uninsured, bringing the total number receiving coverage through SCHIP to 11 million. It is estimated that Iowa would receive more than double of what they get under current law. Iowa presently insures 32,312 children under Hawk-I. The bill is fully paid for by raising the tobacco tax by 61 cents. “I hope this critical bill will be one of the first bills signed into law by President Obama,” concluded Boswell. “After three years of fighting for this legislation, an additional 4 million low-income children finally receiving health care coverage really is the change America needs.” |
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